Over the years I have come to realize how important it is for a guide to manage expectations. That point was made for me yesterday with a boy on board. We were striper fishing and he hooked a few, landed a few including a nice 25 inch fish. All were larger than anything he had ever caught before. In fact he broke several off due to inexperience with bigger fish on light tackle.

So my afternoon on the water was cold and wet. Sunday afternoon I had to end a trip because of a fast moving thundershower. Not every day is a warm and sunny home run like the day I was watched slyly by this loon to be sure we did not disturb her nest. On the upside there are a few stripers around, not a lot but enough to keep things interesting and the bass on freshwater are starting their spawning season.

Saturday morning was warm and sunny, the first day like that in a while. Argy was sweeping the floor in the mudroom. Because I track in a lot of dirt when bringing in firewood and other chores (her story not mine). At any rate because it was warm she had the door open and was working away. I was at my desk in the other room.